Image: Drazen Jurina
NPL2 East had the better of the crossover round, with only two West teams picking up wins from the 10 fixtures. Northcote was one of them, taking their lead to 11 points over second placed Moreland Zebras. Dandenong Thunder stay on equal points with crosstown rivals Hajduk in East as Melbourne City dropped points to the aforementioned Zebras. Three points separate fifth from last in NPL2 East in what’s shaping up to be a fascinating race to avoid relegation there.
***
At Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, a 15-minute flurry in the second half decided the contest between Dandenong City and Melbourne Victory on the scoreboard. Shaun Filipovic continued his goalscoring form in the 55th minute with his eighth of the campaign by flicking on Mate Dugandzic’s cross, before Pierce Waring scored in his sixth consecutive game to level the scores in the 62nd. However, Keegan Ziada popped up for his first of the campaign to seal the win and preserve City’s spot at the top of the East ladder.
After a recent run that saw wins over Eastern and Werribee, Richmond has come crashing back to earth with consecutive heavy defeats to West frontrunners Moreland Zebras and now Northcote City. Liam Flynn netted the opener against his former club early via an assist from James Papadimitriou, who turned scorer in a similar timeframe in the second half. Baggio Youssif then put on the finishing touches late for a 3-0 result after a rebounded John Maclean effort. The result puts Richmond last on the East ladder, sitting on the same points as Eastern but with a worse goal difference.
Nunawading won their second consecutive match by a margin of three goals with a 3-0 win over Whittlesea Ranges. Jordan Siamoa opened the scoring after the hour mark after cutting in on his left foot from James Brown’s pass, after which Ivan Skorich added the advantage via a curling effort from distance. James Brown had another assist, helping 16-year-old Tyrone Boissezon put on the finishing touches with his second goal in as many weeks. Whittlesea now face Sunshine, who were defeated 4-1 by Nunawading the week prior, while Nuna move up to fifth with that victory.
Eastern Lions and Brunswick City cancelled each other out with a 1-1 draw at Gardiner’s Creek Reserve. Cameron Neales’ return to Eastern wasn’t going to plan early as Philip Ajao propelled the hosts into the lead with a powerful effort. However, Andrew Le Page equalised proceedings just after the half-time break via a spectacular free-kick that he has a bit of a reputation for, with Brunswick holding on for the last 10 minutes or so as Michael Cunningham was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Second placed East and West sides Melbourne City and Moreland Zebras couldn’t be separated, having to settle for a 1-1 draw. Jordon Hall was in the thick of the action, conceding an own goal in the 23rd minute before making amends right at the death, scoring a dramatic headed equaliser – it seems not uncommon that an own goal scorer also nets in the other net in the same game.
ICYMI | @MelbCityYouth picked up this late equaliser against Moreland Zebras on Saturday. #PS4NPLVIC
Highlights 🎥 https://t.co/JQPAvLxgJV pic.twitter.com/FLEwcrp5Nl
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2017
In-form Murray United continued their solid run with a win away at Sunshine George Cross. The hosts got off to the perfect start however as Chris Dib converted a penalty for a handball in the 15th minute. Player-coach James Coutts was named TCF co-manager of the month that day and backed it up with the equaliser soon later after a cutback from Zac Walker, whose initial shot from Lewis Greenwood’s cross was blocked. Ryan Giles also got his name on the scoresheet, bundling in Nick Teichmann’s cross from a short corner routine, with the visitors holding on for the remainder of the contest, keeping in touch with the league’s top four.
Bendigo City‘s horror season continues to go from bad to worse after a 7-0 defeat to Box Hill United who previously couldn’t buy a goal or a win. Todd Dekker starred with a hat-trick, taking his tally to five in two games, while Josh Calle had a double and there were also singles to Deniz Sabanovski and captain Thomas Lakic. The good news continued for Box Hill who moved up to eighth, having confirmed their first mid-season signing. Dominic Furness is an English midfielder who has previously had stints in the USA, Iceland, Sweden and Thailand.
Goulburn Valley Suns and Moreland City couldn’t find the back of the net in a scoreless draw at Shepparton Sports Precinct. It now means Moreland City have gone four matches without a win, with three of those being draws, though they still sit in equal third in the West, while the Suns also have gone four without a win but managed to snap a three-game losing streak to sit in sixth in East.
Ballarat City did well to contain the ever-dangerous Dandenong Thunder, holding the visitors scoreless for the best part of an hour. However, Kristian Sarkies’ opener came in the 63rd minute, after which it was the Brandon Barnes show. He stormed home with a hat-trick – his 19th goal of the season and fourth hat-trick – the first being a penalty converted for a handball, while the latter two took advantage of Ballarat’s high line pushing for a result.
Werribee City have had a tough season to date but had some respite against fellow strugglers Springvale with a 3-1 win. It wasn’t looking good early when Vojo Milojevic netted in the 53rd minute, but it all turned around when Darcey Den Ouden equalised 10 minutes later. Cameron Davies got the hosts into the lead soon after and then Den Ouden had a double to seal the victory. That was the last straw for White Eagles coach Vlado Tortevski, who departed the club following the defeat as Springvale have no gone 10 games winless.